Will the Paleo diet help me lose
weight?
The Paleo or Paleolithic diet (also called the Caveman or Stone Age diet) has become quite popular. It is
based on the idea that eating the types of foods that our early ancestors might have eaten is healthier
for our bodies. The Paleo diet includes mainly meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and nuts (not including
peanuts).
Foods that come from agriculture (or farming) such as grain products, dairy and legumes (beans, peas
and lentils) are avoided. So is sugar, salt and processed foods. The Paelo diet claims that eating these
foods leads to obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
Does the Paleo diet work?
In the short term, the Paleo diet can help you lose weight because it cuts out foods, which means you
will likely eat less.
In the long term, most people will regain the weight lost on the Paleo diet because is it hard to follow.
Avoiding major food categories like grain products, dairy and legumes is difficult in the long term. It also
makes it difficult to get enough fibre, iron, calcium and vitamin D.
The bottom line
Humans have evolved on many different eating patterns based on the foods that were locally available.
Updated: 2016-03-30 | Page 1 of 2
Like other fad diets, the Paleo diet is not a long term solution for weight loss. A better approach is to eat
well and be active in a way that you enjoy and can maintain. Use Canada’s Food Guide to help you
plan for healthy eating.
You may also be interested in:
Get the facts on fad diets
Checklist for choosing a weight loss program
This content from www.eatrightontario.ca is Copyright © Dietitians of Canada 2015, unless otherwise indicated.
The content is not meant to replace advice from your medical doctor or counselling from a Registered Dietitian.
It is intended for educational purposes only. Dietitians of Canada acknowledges the financial support of EatRight
Ontario by the Ontario government. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the province.
Updated: 2016-03-30 | Page 2 of 2